News Getting off the Gas Marketed in Australia as a clean, green, ‘natural’ fuel, fossil gas burned in our homes for cooking, heating, and hot water is surprisingly bad for our health. About 1.3 million homes in New South Wales have a fossil gas connection, which provides about 35% of our household energy needs for cooking, space heating, and hot water. However, burning fossil gas accelerates climate change and impacts our health. There has never been a better time to get off the gas and electrify our homes. Most fossil gas burnt in homes in NSW is methane. When methane combines with oxygen from the air it produces heat and light. But at the same time, nitrogen from the air combines with oxygen, producing nitrogen dioxide (NO2) that can harm our lungs. Health risks associated with burning fossil gas The NO2 released by burning fossil gas in your household stove or heater can irritate the respiratory system, causing the airways that carry oxygen into our lungs to narrow. It can also make the lungs more sensitive to allergens. Research shows that pollution from burning fossil gas can contribute to children developing asthma and make symptoms worse for people who already have the disease. Researchers in Australia have estimated that up to 12% of childhood asthma could be attributable to the use of gas stoves for cooking.1 The health risks associated with burning fossil gas are not only felt by people with asthma. One study in New Zealand found that children living in homes heated by gas were at greater risk of acute respiratory infection compared with those in homes heated by electricity. Risk of carbon monoxide poisoning Faulty or poorly installed gas appliances can also produce deadly carbon monoxide. In 2010, tragedy struck in Victoria when two children died from carbon monoxide poisoning after sleeping in a house with a faulty gas heater. Non-lethal carbon monoxide poisoning due to faulty or poorly maintained gas heaters is also thought to be common. But it can be difficult to diagnose because it produces common symptoms such as unexplained headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, malaise, and confusion.2 What to do? What can we do to protect ourselves and our families from the harms associated with burning fossil gas inside our homes? If you are able, the best way to protect yourself and your family is to disconnect your gas appliances and replace them with electric ones. Wollongong residents in the 2515 postcode may be eligible for subsidies to upgrade their gas appliances through the Electrify 2515 Community Pilot <Electrify 2515 – Applications Now Open>. However, electrification can be expensive and is rarely an option for renters. One alternative is to use relatively inexpensive plug-in induction cooktops instead of existing gas stoves for cooking. If you have no alternative to using gas appliances, ensure adequate ventilation by using a rangehood every time the stove is used and opening doors and windows. Service gas heaters regularly. Healthy Cities Australia recognises that many households do not have the option of switching to safer electric appliances. That’s why we are calling on local and state governments to implement electrification mandates for new developments, so that everyone has access to the safety and cost benefits of all-electric homes. If you would like to support our campaign, please get in touch with Alexander at Healthy Cities, on 4283 8111 or alexander@healthycities.org.au Further Reading Gas stoves and asthma in children – National Asthma Council Australia Asthma and Indoor Gas Appliances Fact Sheet – Doctors for the Environment Australia Carbon monoxide poisoning | health.vic.gov.au